Hi, my name is MumofM! Overwhelmed with sons finances

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MumofM

Hi everyone, literally just joined your community as I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with being in control of my son (aged 21 with learning disability’s) finances from DWP. 

He has PIPS, he was also on UC (only awards 6 months ago) until recently where we had an interview for what i thought was ‘fit to work’ to continue UC. it then transpires that after the interview that they have awarded him LCWRA… I’m set up as his PIP & UC appointee where his money goes into my everyday Bank account (he’s unable to manage finances) and will now receive his LCWRA… can someone advise how I’m supposed to manage/use his finances??? He lives with me 
I just feel uncomfortable with being in control of his money - even though he isn’t able to manage this himself due to learning disability & vulnerability..,, guess my main concern is what do we spend it on and do I need to keep clear records of his spending….. especially as it’s in my bank account within my daily spending..,, thanks for any help/advice 😊 

poppy123456

I'm my daughters appointee for her PIP and UC too. She also has a learning disability and no understanding of money at all. Her money is paid into my bank account.

You do not need to keep any records of what you spend the money on. Being his appointee means you need to act in his best interests but it doesn't mean you have to keep account of everything that is spent and what you spend it on.

I live with my daughter and there's just the 2 of us. I take out her share of the bills each month, we actually split everything down the middle. The rest i transfer to her own bank account. From there i help her manage her own money. She has bills of her own that she pays such as amazon prime, mobile phone and a few other things. Although she has a learning disability i think it's important that she knows things in life are not free. Opening a bank account for her was also important because i didn't want her to feel any different to anyone else.

She also loves the cinema and going to concerts and the theatre so spends some of her money on that. Hair cuts, treats for her niece and nephew, family birthday presents and christmas. She buys new clothes and things for her hair herself. We are going on holiday together later this year so she paid for herself with her money and will use her own money for spending while away.

Are you taking out some money for his keep? If not then you should do that because in my opnion he needs to understand that bills have to be paid. (this is what  explained to my daughter) What about other things like clothing, foot wear or anything else he wants? Do you give him some of his money for himself? If not then you could do that and help guide him. There's no rules what you can or can't spend the benefits money on because they don't make any checks regarding that.

Do also remember that UC is means tested so only savings of up to £6,000 are ignored. For every £250 or part there of over that amount there's a £4.35/month deduction in his UC.

Hope this helps a little.